Mail catcher and deliverer.



No. 759,979. PATENTED MAY 17, 1904.

. H. N. FLEMING.

MAIL CATCHER ANI) DELIVERBR. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA PB. so. 1902.

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PATENTED MAY 17, 1904.

H. N. FLEMING. MAILCATCHER AND DBLIVERER.

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No. 759,979. PATENTED MAY 17, 1904 H. N. FLLMING.

MAIL` GATCHER AND DELIVERER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. so. 1902. No MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET a.

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No. 759,979. A PATENTED MAY 17, 1904.

' H. N. PLEMING.

MAIL GATGHER AND DELIVERER.

APPLICATIUN FILED APR. so. 1902.

N0 MODEL.

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y 7?@ i@ l 74%# UNITED STATES Patented May 17, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

MAIL CATCHER AND DELIVERER.

ASPIiCJIFICA'IION forming part of Letters Patent No. I759,979, dated May 17, 1904.

i Application filed April 30, 1902. Serial No. 105,293. (No model.)

V.To all whom if; may concern:

Be it known that I, HUGH N. FL EMING, a citilzen of the United States, residing at Erie, in vthe county of Erie and State of Pennsylvania,

a inail-catcher which will prevent injury to the mail and relieve the mail-bag of the wear incident to the catching` of the mail, as is the usual practice of the present time, and which will deliver mail on a crane catching device, thus preventing the uncertainty incident to the throwing of the mail from the moving train.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following speciiication and claims.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, as follows:

Figure l showsV a perspective' view of the crane and a fragment of a car with mail in position on the crane and car to be delivered and caught'. Fig. 2 is `a similar view of the position of the parts after the catch is made. Fig. Sis a planview of the car catching and delivering mechanism. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the car delivering-arm. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the crane catching-arm. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the same.

A marks the car; B, thel car door. The pivot-rod C is carried by the brackets c c, secured to the door-casing. The catcher-hook C' is carried by the rod C and is operated in the usual manner of such hooks by means of the handle C2. Arranged on the hook is a lug c for holding `the bag-carrier after a catch. There are also secured to the door-easing the brackets D, having thelugs CZ d. The car delivering-arm E is pivoted between the lugs d d by means of the bolt (Z2. The arm has the arch e, forming the space e. The spring-clamps E E are secured to the lower ends of the arm E the opposite side of the arch or space c. The bag-carrier F is secured in these clamps, the portion j' of the bag-carrier being under tension, due to the weight of the bag G. The bag-carrier F is formed of iiexible material and arranged in the form of a loop. Se formed, it may be placed in the mail-bag for return, if desired. The bracket D is furnished with the stop-lug d', which stops the outward swing of the arm E at a right angle to the car. l An arm e2 extends from the arm E, and a weight-cord E2 extends from this arm and is provided with a weight E3, by which the arm is normally held at its inner position. The arm e2 is in the path of the bend c2 of the catcher-arm G, so that as the catcherarrn is dropped it contacts the arm e2 and facilitates this return movement of the arm E. The arm E is also provided with the hook e3, which engages the bend c2 of the catcher-arm C as the catcher-arm is swung to a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 1, thus forming a stop against which said arm is brought as it is swung out in catching position. Theeatcher-arin C engages as it swings upwardly the delivery-arm E and moves it to 'operative position-that is, at right angles to the car.

The operation of the car delivering mech- 'anism is as follows: The catcher-arm C normally lies below the rod C next to the car, and the arm E is swung into the car under the influence of the 'weight Ef. The bag-carrier is arranged in place in the clamps E' E and the catcher-rod C' swung up to place through the handle C2. As the catcher-arm swings out it contacts the delivery-arm E and forces it outwardly as the catcher-arm C is swung upwardly. When the catcher-arm C' reaches the catch e", it is in ahorizontal position, andthe delivery-arm E is at right an'- gles to the car and locked in that position by the stop d and the bend c2 of the catcherarm. The catching device ofthe crane receives the bag-carrier F along the portion f, a portion of the catcher mechanism of the crane passing through the space or arch e'. The catcher-arm C' enters the bag-carrier arranged on the crane.

The crane comprises the upright H and the tension-rod I, pivotally connected at the top IOO with the spring-clamp c', secured to the eye z" at the inner end of the lever I. A second spring-clamp j is secured to the arm J, which extends from the post H. The arm K normally rests on the bracket L. It is secured to the strap it, which circles the post and forms a pivot with avertical axis. rIhe arm K is secured to the strap 7c by means of a joint 1', forming a horizontal axis. The spring-clamp Z012 is secured to the outer end of this arm. The bag-carrier F is secured with three clamps c', j, and 1012. These clamps are out of line, so as to form an opening into the bag-carrier, into which the hook C may enter. As a catch is made the bag-carrier is forced from these clamps by the hook C. The catcher mechanism ofthe crane is formed on the arm K by means of the cross-arm K',

this forming a supporting-arm. Above this cross-arm is a jaw k2. A two-lingered catch les is pivoted at cf on the end of the arm K. With the two-lingered catch in position to receive the bag-carrier the actuating-huger l is in an uprightposition in the mouth of the jaw, and the finger k is in a horizontal position. As the portion of the 4bag-carrier f engages the Jlinger ivi it forces it down into the groove km and swings the finger k6 into the mouth of the jaw. The elbow of the catch is-provided with the ratchet k7, which is engaged by the pawl 708. The spring Zoo forces the pawl into engagement.

The operation of the crane catcher mechanism is as follows: As the portion f contacts the finger if it is swung, as before stated, into the groove k1". This brings the finger 7c into the mouth of the jaw, the upper end of the iinger entering the groove kn in the jaw ft2. rlhe pawl lc* prevents a return movement of the catch. It has been found by practice that where the flexible loop is used in the manner of the loop herein described the loop often, through the action of the train or its inertia, swings so as to pass two portions of the loop by the hook, so that there is either a failure to deliver or a failure to retain the bag on the catch of the crane. By the present mechanism the catch-finger Z2 closes the mouth of the jaw after the entry of the first portion of the loop, so that it is impossible for a second portion of the loop to enter the jaw. Thus a catch is made at each operation. By arching the delivery-arm E the catch mechanism can be made of such size and shape as to readily operate on this plan. Where a common horizontal hook or arm is used with the idea of entering the loop of the bag-carrier, the bag, due to the impetus of the train, sometimes Y assumes a position in which the hook will not enter the loop, and there is also often a failure in the catch. It is thought that the present device obviates this difficulty. After the catch 'is made the arm K swings off the bracket L against the retarding device formed by the weighted cord M. In this position the arm means on said arm at the opposite sides of said arch for engaging and holding a exible carrier arranged in the form of a loop.

2. 1n a mail-deliverer, the combination with the car; of a delivery-arm attached to said car; spring-clamps secured to said arm, one clamp nearer the car than another when the delivery is in operative position, said clamps being arranged to engage a iiexible carrier arranged in the form of a loop, and to hold said flexible carrier in an open or spread position. I

3. In a mail-deliverer, the combination of the car with the delivery-arm attached to said car, said arm having an arched portion; springclamps secured to said delivery-arm at the opposite sides of the arch, one clamp nearer the car than the other when the delivery-arm is in operative position, said clamps being adapted to engage a flexible carrier arranged in the form of a loop and arranged to hold said flexible carrier in an open or spread position.

4. In a mail deliverer and catcher, the combination with the car; of a delivery-arm secured to said car with a pivot having a vertical axis; a catcher-arm secured to said car with a horizontal axis, said delivery-arm ,being arranged in the path of the catcher-arm whereby the delivery-arm may be swung into operative p osition by the direct engagement of the catcher-arm.

5. In a mail deliverer and catcher, the combination with the car; of a delivery-arm secured to said car with a pivot having a vertical axis; a catcher-arm secured to said car with a horizontal axis, said delivery-arm being a`rranged in the path of the catcher-arm whereby the delivery-arm may be swung into operative position by the direct engagement of the catcher-arm; and a hook on the delivery-arm for limiting the movement of the catcher-arm.

6. In a mail deliverer and catcher, the combination with theJ car; of a delivery-arm pivotally secured to said car by a pivot having a vertical axis; an actuating-arm extending from the line of said pivot; a catcher-arm arranged to swing on ahorizontal pivot, said actuatingarm being arranged in the path of said catcher whereby the delivery-arm may be swung inwardly by contact of the said actuating-arm; and means acting upon said actuating-arm for exerting force in a direction to swing said delivery-arm inwardly.

7. In amail-deliverer, the combination with the car; of a delivery-arm pivotall y secured to said car; a flexible means secured to said delivery-arm and passing into the car; and means for exerting tension on said flexible means,

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said flexible means being arranged to actuate said delivery-arm.

8. In a mail-deliverer, the combination with the car; of a delivery-arm pivotally secured to said car; an actuating-arm extending from the line of said pivot; and flexible means secured to said arm and extending within the ear; and means on said flexible means for holding it under tension, said flexible means being arranged to actuate said delivery-arm.

9. In a mail catcher and deliverer, the combination with the car; of a catcher having the rod C, and catcher-hook C; the delivery-arm E, having' the actuating-arm c, and hook e,- the delivery-arm beingl arranged in the path of' the bend of the hook C', whereby the dclivery-arm is swung to position by direct engagement of said hook, the hook e, being arranged to limit the movement of' the catcher arm or hook C', and the arm e2, being in the path of the arm or hook C, to effect a return movement of the deliverer.

10. In a mail catcher and deliverer, the combination in the crane of a lever extending inwardly from the top of said crane; alever extending inwardly below said top lever; means for engaging a flexible, bag-carrier arranged in the form of' a loop at points to spread or open said loop, one at the upper lever, and one at the lower lever.

11. In a mail catcher and deliverer. the combination in the crane of' a lever extending from the top of said crane and a lever extending' inwardly below said topA lever; means for engaging' a fiexible bag-carrier in the form of a loop at three points, one at the upper lever, one at the lower lever and one intermediate of said points, the intermediate engaging means being' out of line with the engaging means of' the levers.

12. In a mail-deliverer, the combination in the crane of a lever extending inwardlyr from the upper end of the crane; a clamp on said lever; a lever below said top lever; a clamp on said lever; and means for engaging a flexible bag-carrier in the form of aloop intermediate of said top and lower lever, said engaging means being out ofl line of the engaging means on said levers.

13. In a mail-deliverer the combination in the crane of' a lever extending inwardly from the upper end of the crane; and a lever extending inwardly below said upperA lever; three clamps, one on the upper lever, one on the lower lever and one at a point relative to said clamps for spreading a loop of' a flexible bag-carrier in the form of' a loop.

14. In a mail-catcher, the combination in the crane, of a bracket extending inwardly from said crane; an arm pivoted on said crane with a vertical pivot, and a horizontal pivot, said arm being arranged to rest when in operative position on said bracket.

15. In a mailcatcher, the combination in the crane, of a bracket extending inwardly from said crane; an arm pivoted on said crane with vertical and horizontal pivots, said catcher-arm having a horizontally-extending arm carrying the catcher.

16. In a mail-catcher, the combination with the supporting-arm IC, having the groove Z610,- double fingered catch le, pivoted in said groove, said catch being provided with the lingers 725 Zi, arranged in the relation described, and having' the ratchet 'f, at the elbow; apawl for engaging said ratchet; the

jaw 71:2, having the groove if, for the reception of' the linger f'.

17. In a mail catcher and delivcrer, the combination of' an arched delivery-arm; engaging means at the opposite side of said arch for supporting a carrier; a catching device arranged to make a catch by engaging the means between the ends of the arch, said catching device being provided with locking means for preventing more than one entry.

18. In a mail catcher and deliverer, the combination of an arched delivery-arm having supporting means for the bag-carrier at the opposite ends of the arch; a catcher having a supporting arm and jaw, one of said members being' arranged to enter the arch; and a catch device between said arm and jaw.

19. In a mail catcher and deliverer, the com bination of` an arched delivery-arm having supporting means for the bag-carrier at the opposite ends of the arch; a catcher having a supporting arm and jaw, one of said members being arranged to enter the arch; and a catch device between said arm and jaw, said catching device being' arranged to permit of but a single entry.

20. In a mail catcher and deliverer, the combination of the delivery-arm E, having' the arch 0'; the clamp-lingers E IE', at the ends of the arch; a catcher device having the supporting-arm K; jaw 12, and the two-fingered catch k3, arranged in the relation described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence oi two subscribing witnesses.

HUGH N. FLEMING.

Witnesses:

J'. R. Genre, H. C. Loan.

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